Bowie‘s storytelling reserfaces on CD/DVD set

Bowies Storytelling Resurfaces on CD/DVD SetTen years later, David Bowies legendary 1999 appearance on VH1s Storytellers series is finally being released as a CD/DVD set (and also as a download) via EMI Records. On the disc(s), Bowie performs classics like Life on Mars alongside a plethora of tracks from Bowies then-new album hours; with the CD/DVD set, fans will also get several outtakes, including an interesting version of Lows Always Crashing in the Same Car, and several other interesting tidbits. The set will show up on July 14 - hopefully Bowie himself, whos been well out of the spotlight lately, will do the same shortly thereafter...Echo and the Bunnymen recently had the honor of being sent into space with astronaut Timothy Korpa on his mission to the International Space Station; Korpa, a longtime fan of the band, contacted them through their website and asked if theyd pick one of the albums hed take with him to the ISS. The band, of course, were impressed, and sent Korpa an autographed copy of Ocean Rain. Speaking of Ocean Rain, a box set featuring a live version of the album (recorded in November 2008), a DVD documentary, and a special booklet was released last month; the bands 10th studio album, The Fountain, is expected out sometime this year...44 years after The Beatles performed the first concert ever held at New Yorks Shea Stadium, a Beatle is returning to bestow a similar honor on the Citi Field Stadium in Queens, NY, the new home of the New York Mets. That Beatle is Paul McCartney, whose two shows on July 17th and 18th will be his first U.S. stops since his set at Mays Coachella Festival; McCartneys shows will take place rain or shine, with tix available now at www.507tixx.com (but good luck, theyll sell fast)...And after a four-year break, singer-songwriter David Gray will be back on the charts in September with Draw the Line, his first full-length album since his 2005 release, Life in Slow Motion. This set will also serve as Grays debut on his new label home, Mercer Street Records, as well as his first recorded appearance with his new bandmates. Draw the Line also features eleven new songs and guest vocals from singer Annie Lennox, whose voice should blend beautifully with Grays on the set; the first single is slated to be the albums opening track, Fugitive...

MODERN ROCK LINK OF THE WEEK:In other music-related art news, artist Andy J. Miller and The Yellow Bird Project have collaborated on The Indie Rock Coloring Book, a booklet of uber-cute drawings that you can color inspired by indie-rock hit songs; proceeds benefit the Global Fund, so snag one, grab your crayons, and start coloring in the likes of The National, The Shins, and Rilo Kiley. You can get your own copy at www.chroniclebooks.com for $9.95...

MINI BUZZ:NYC classic modern new waver Blondie and 80s pop-rocker Pat Benetar are set to co-headline a U.S. tour this summer; the jaunt will kick off in California on July 21, and will criss-cross the country before wrapping in Houston, Texas on August 23...50 Cent will play one of the lead roles alongside Forest Whitaker in a modern version of The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, although theres no word yet on who will play which part...The Beach Boys have just released their latest collection, Summer Love Songs, which includes a song written and recorded by Dennis Wilson waaay back in 1970; the track has never before been released in the U.S., and is also newly mixed in stereo...Elbow were honored with what theyve called their most prestigious accolade thus far - the freedom of their UK hometown of Bury in an award ceremony, where they were lauded alongside Slumdog Millionaire director Danny Boyle...Nelson Mandelas 91st birthday will be celebrated with a special concert in New York City featuring Stevie Wonder, Dave Stewart, Wyclef Jean, Queen Latifah, and Aretha Franklin, among others, on July 18...Jack White recently told the press that the White Stripes - who have been in hibernation for quite a while now - will likely resume recording new tunes later this year, after White devotes his summer to his latest band project, The Dead Weather...And here are a plethora of other new tunes for you via this weeks new discs... ON CD: The Eagles Hotel California (Remastered)... Kiss Kiss The Meek Shall Inherit Whats Left... Project 86s Picket Fence Cartel... and stellastarr*s Civilized... ON DVD: Michael Jackson: Never Surrender... and thats the buzz for this weeks Modern Rock.